Yankees Updates and Notes
Quote:
Good news on Yanks' Matsui, Cano, but not on Dotel
Associated Press

TORONTO -- New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui could be just days away from taking batting practice after getting a positive report about his broken left wrist on Thursday.

Matsui was examined by the same doctor who performed the surgery on the wrist. He injured himself diving for a ball hit by Boston's Mark Loretta on May 11.

Team spokesman Rick Cerrone said Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser reported the bones fused perfectly and that after some muscular pain subsides, he could be cleared to take batting practice in Tampa in a few days.

Matsui is expected in Tampa later this week. Manager Joe Torre has previously said he hopes Matsui will return in September.

New York is also missing injured All-Star outfielder Gary Sheffield.

Right-hander Octavio Dotel, working his way back from elbow surgery, reported soreness in his arm after pitching an inning for Double-A Trenton on Thursday. He didn't give up a run, allowing two hits and a walk.

"He finished his stint today. He just didn't feel good. He felt sore and tender," Torre said.

Dotel hasn't pitched for the New York this season after undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery a year ago.

Torre had hoped to have him on the roster on Sunday. He'll see the team doctor on Friday.

"We were close enough to get excited," Torre said. "I know he has to be frustrated by it. We certainly feel for him."

Yankees All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano hopes to resume taking batting practice on Friday after being shut down earlier this week because of tightness in his injured left hamstring.

Cano hasn't taken part in field drills since Monday when he stopped a baserunning session early. He went on the 15-day disabled list after straining the hamstring while running out a double during a June 25 game against Florida.

"It's feeling a lot better," Cano said Thursday after undergoing treatment.

Cano is hitting .325 with four homers and 27 RBI in 69 games this season. He said a date for running the bases again has not been determined. Baserunning is normally one of the final steps before starting a minor league rehabilitation assignment.